Artist: Vader
Label: Metal Blade
Release Date: 5/9/00
|
|
Title: Litany Artist: Vader Label: Metal Blade Release Date: 5/9/00 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
|
4 | ||
|
4 | ||
|
5 | ||
|
|
Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
The Polish boys are back. And although it's seemed like these guys have been coming out with a new disc every couple of months, I believe this is the first full length album of new material since Black to the Blind. I heard a lot of mixed reviews about that last album, but I really liked it. I've never considered them to push their own boundaries all that much, but I've always respected them for the fact that they consistently put out quality work. They do what they do very well, and even if you don't like it, you have to admit that.
Litany is what we've come to expect, Americanized death metal with the Vader twist to it. They are still very much influenced by classic Slayer (especially in the lead axe work), to the point that this could almost be considered speed metal as much as it is death. The reason this isn't just thrown into the rest of the Vader mix, is that the riffs on this one are good enough to keep the attention of even the most hopeless thrash fan (Death, are you listening?) But it's still got the speed and blastbeats, combined with Death (the band not the hopeless thrash fan)-inspired guitar that layers the top with high pitched segues that will keep the American (and most others, I assume) death fan happy. The songs completely stand on their own, in contrast to most death metal, because of the diverse riffs, and the unique cadence put on in certain parts. By this I mean that the vocals aren't just fodder to lay over the guitars, they actually bring something more to the mix.
"The riffs on this one are good enough to keep the attention of even the most hopeless thrash fan (Death, are you listening?)" I recommend this album for those who like Vader already and for all metal fans in general. The group of the former won't be disappointed at all, and the latter should really check out this band. There haven't been that many quality bands that have come out of Eastern Europe (at least that we've gotten a chance to hear), and I believe the accent actually adds a little to the enjoyment. Call me loyal, but people that I've heard slag Vader as a rip off or an amalgamation of other, better bands, just have to whole thing wrong.
Death's Review:
Sometimes you hear a series of riffs that are totally intense. You think "wow," and smile with the knowledge that you've just experienced some serious next-level metallic bliss. That's how I feel when I hear the technically hypnotic ascending riffs and assorted guitar squeals which close out "Wings," Litany's first track. And again throughout the killer "Xeper." With Vader, sick riffs are around every corner.
"An obsession with speed limits the ungodly riffing which periodically emerges." Unfortunately, an obsession with speed limits the ungodly riffing which periodically emerges. Perfect example: take the riff which follows, for about five seconds, the Lombardo a la "Criminally Insane" rock-ride drum intro to "A World of Hurt." Is that thing sick or what? Why, oh why, is it so short? Who's brilliant idea was that to abandon that puppy so quickly in favor of another blast-beat spaz out attack? I want more!
Vader is indeed fast. Total death metal. Really killer, death metal spiced with a knowledge of thrash, like Sepultura might have been if they were much heavier, more death, and had not decided to go hardcore. For a point of reference, know that Reign In Blood is much easier to digest than Litany (that should give you an idea of how uncompromising Vader are), yet both go for the jugular with equal aggression and land with the same exhilarating impact.
"If you like sick riffs but don't mind finding them swimming in a cesspool of speed and chaos, you'll dig this record." Vader is unmelodic, raw as hell, and totally unrelenting. In short, Vader have most of the qualities one looks for in a death metal band. Litany is good, primal death, yet also showing hints of an appreciation for 80's technical thrash like Kreator or Destruction. If you like sick riffs but don't mind (and actually crave) finding them swimming in a cesspool of speed and chaos, you'll dig this record.
Hel's Review:
It’s true. I’m a big metalhead, and my favorite genre of metal is death metal. So don’t tip over from shock when I tell you that I love Vader’s new album. I think that comes as no surprise for most people who know me. So, when I like a death metal album more than I usually do, how is one to know that THIS is the one that I truly love. Well, I guess you’ll just have to believe me.
Believe me when I tell you that the riffs are as fast as you could want them. I doubt it’s even physically possible to play any faster. Believe that these are top notch musicians playing their hearts out. Believe that this is as heavy as you could want your death metal to be. And, the music doesn’t sound like muddled goo.
"It's true. I'm a big metalhead, and my favorite genre of metal is death metal. So don't tip over from shock when I tell you that I love Vader's new album." Now, either Peter enunciates extraordinarily well, or I’m getting used to death metal vocals, because I find the lyrics are more understandable than the norm. And the real bonus is that these lyrics are not just disturbing nonsense. In fact, they’re downright interesting. Go ahead, give it a go and see if you don’t agree.
All of the tracks on Litany are fantastic. Each and every one is a worthy favorite, but I continually find myself coming back to "A World of Hurt." While doing other things, I sometimes don’t really hear the songs, but invariably when my attention is caught by the music, this is the song playing. By virtue of its ability to do that, this one rises to the top.
Sure, maybe I’m just a sucker for death metal. But I like to think I can tell good music from bad in general, and can appreciate bands for what they try to be, even when I’m not necessarily into it personally. So when we’re discussing what is basically my favorite metal sub-genre, I like to think that I can tell quality from crap. But what the hell do I know? It’s just my opinion, I could be wrong.
[- Metal Judgment Home -] [- Email Metal Judgment -]
©1999 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.